Projects > Indigenous Ecotourism

Original INTIRUNA Meeting, Quito, Ecuador, 2006

In September, 2006, CREST (then CESD) convened a group of indigenous community representatives from throughout Latin America in Quito, Ecuador to discuss the role of ecotourism and certification for their communities. Over three days, participants shared experiences, raised concerns, and learned from colleagues. At the end of the discussions, the group announced their decision to found the indigenous tourism association INTIRUNA, Quechua for "people of the sun".

The final result of the workshop was a declaration that is available in Spanish and English. The declaration was formally presented by the participants on September 9, 2006 in a public forum that was attended by key stakeholders in the Ecuadorian tourism industry. Click to view the declaration in Spanish or in English. Also available are the full conference proceedings in Spanish or in English.

INTIRUNA convened a second time in February, 2010, in Chiapas, Mexico. For information on this second and msot recent meeting, click here or follow the link in the sidebar to the left.

Angel Canales Gutierrez (PERU)
Quechua
Executive Director of the Center for Sustainable Development (CEDESOS)

Eliseo Pelagio Fernandez Ruelas (PERU)
Quechua
Profesor of the National University of the Altiplano of Puno
Coordinator of the Institute of Investigation for Rural and Agroindustry Development and the Environment (IDRA)

Christian Garzón (ECUADOR)
Cotacachi
General Manager of Rura Tupari

José Gualinga (ECUADOR)
Quechua - Sarayaku
Manager of Papangu Tours
Director of International Relations of Sarayaku

Teresa Jimbicti (ECUADOR)
Shuar
Vice-President of the National Council of Indigenous Women of Ecuador (CONMIE)
President of the Regional Council of Nationalities and Communities of Indigenous Women of the Ecuadorian Amazon (CONMIRAE)

Juan Carlos Jintiach (ECUADOR)
Shuar
President of the Foundation Life for the Amazon
Coordinator of the Project on Community Ecotourism Miasal Expedition

Miguel Hilario (PERU)
Ph.D. candidate at Stanford University

Freddy Limaco Navi (BOLIVIA)
Quechua
President of the Indigenous Quechua Community – Tacana San José de Uchupiamonas
Manager of the Chalalán Ecolodge

Marco Antonio Manuyama Arimuya (COLOMBIA)
Cocama
Promotor of Environmental Amazon

Manuel Muñoz Millalonco (CHILE)
Williche de Chiloé
Consultant for the General Council of Chiefs of Williche de Chiloé
Professor of the University ARCIS-PATAGÓNIA de Castro-Chiloé

Johnny Paulino Romero (PERU)
Ashaninka
Communications Specialist for the Center of Native Communities of the Central Jungle (CECONSEC)

Roldolfo Pesha Arimuya (PERU)
Ese’eja
Guide in the Native Community of Infierno (Rainforest Expeditions)

Juan Quispe Huatta (PERU)
Quechua
Promotor of the Isle of Taquile
Secretario del Comite de Turismo y Cultura

Juan Sánchez Jímenez (MEXICO)
Maya Chol
President of the Alternative Tourism Network of the Lacandona Jungle

Cecilio Solís Librado (MEXICO)
Nahua
President of the Indigenous Tourism Network of Mexico

Angel Tzec (BELIZE)
Maya
Founder of the Tumul K'in School

Patricia Villafuerte Toledo (PERU)
Indigenous Tourism Wanamei